By Casey O'Connor
The annual Apple Blossom Bowls Carnival has been played at the Summit Bowls Club since at least the early 70’s and was initially held in conjunction with the Apple Blossom Festival.
At the weekend the tradition continued as the club hosted the popular Two Day 2021 carnival.
The long-running event is a popular date on the calendar and although Glen Innes and Tenterfield Bowlers were grounded due to border restrictions there was a large number of visitors.
On Saturday 20 teams played the pairs competition and on Sunday numbers swelled with four bowlers playing the Fours competition.
Conditions were ideal for the pairs which rolled off at midday on Saturday. Three rounds of 14 ends were played with eight points allocated for a win and one point for each end won. Dead ends had to be replayed.
What began as a perfect afternoon was interrupted during the third round by a huge storm brewing. With lightning strikes not too far away, discretion in the face of the dangerous conditions was the wisest choice and play in the third round finished on the 10th end .
The local team of Rob Capelli and Tyler Sweeney (Skip) (three wins + 51) were the overall winners. The runners up were Aaron Ritchie and Jamie Zamprogno (Skip) (three wins + 47).
First Round winners were Elana Scott and Dale Callaghan (Skip). Second Round winners were Nicholas Pianta and Sandra Pianta (Skip) and winners of the shortened third Round were Barry Ziebell and Kim Hankinson (Skip).
It was an early start for the big field in the Apple Blossom Fours on Sunday.
Again three rounds were played – 15 ends to be scored :- Eight points for a win and one point for each end won with dead ends to be replayed.
Visitors Ray Williams, Aaron McKinney, Peter Gynther and Neville Morris (Skip) claimed the overall honours. The local team of Brian Wilmot, Michael Sweeney, Rob Capelli and Tyler Sweeney (Skip) finished runner’s up.
The Summit team of Tina Schubert, Adrian Jackson, Darren Stanley and Tony Schubert (Skip) won the first round.
Second Round winners were visitors Paul Beaman, Matt Sheppard, Danny Hughes and Peter Collis (Skip).
Third Round winners were Pam Moore, Cliff Jones, Lindsay Hartley and Aaron Ritchie (Skip).
The greens ran very well on both days thanks to the work of Frank and his team Games Director John hank you to all the volunteers and bar staff who contributed to such a successful weekend.
With Apple Blossom done and dusted for another 132 months a reminder that there will be a Family BBQ at The Summit Bowls Club tomorrow night (Friday, 29 Oct) beginning at 5:30pm. It is a Halloween Themed night.
Seating is limited for the two-course meal, so bookings are essential. Please phone Maree on 0438 642 527 ASAP so you don’t miss out.
Upcoming Programme:
Sat, 30 Oct – Social Bowls
Sat 6 Nov – Visiting Bowlers – Lunch then Bowls
Sun7 Nov – Visiting Bowlers – Breakfast – Bowls then Lunch
Sat13/14 Nov – The Summit Men’s Club B Grade Singles – (13/11)SDMDBA Meeting (Summit Bowls Club).
